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Chris Sperring meets some of Britain's most charismatic wildlife. |
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Naturalist Chris Sperring MBE is hard on the heels of some of our native British wildlife to bring "rough and ready" encounters with a variety of species. Combining his knowledge of the behaviour and senses of the animals he’s following with sensitive field-craft skills, Chris is able to become part of these animals’ activities without them even knowing he is there.
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Programme 1 - Starlings
Monday 8 July 3.45-4.00pm
In programme one, Chris follows a huge flock of starlings practising safety in numbers. In late winter they group together to form a massive twisting and spiralling cloud, before descending into their evening roost. Their aim is to protect themselves from larger avian predators but, as Chris witnesses, the arrival of hen harriers and sparrow hawks, who dart through the flocks, puts the slowest and weakest birds at risk.
 Listen again to programme 1
Programme 2 - Badgers
Tuesday 9 July 3.45-4.00pm
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European Badger
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Badgers are not easy creatures to track. They have a keen sense of smell and excellent hearing which allows them to detect and avoid danger in the woodland night. Despite their size they move swiftly and silently, with only the odd snuffle or cracking twig to give them away. Chris has to remain silent, and employ all of his tracking and field-craft experience, in order to get close to these elusive animals and follow them into the night.
Listen again to programme 2
Programme 3 - Red Admiral Butterflies
Wednesday 10 July 3.45-4.00pm
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| Red Admiral Butterfly |
The chalk downlands in Dorset are home to many butterflies, but Chris is looking for something special. In late May and early June, the striking red admiral arrives from Europe. It is an amazing feat for the butterflies to have crossed the English channel, and each individual has to be a strong flyer to do so. On a sunny but blustery day, after waiting and watching, Chris is rewarded with an extraordinary encounter - a sudden squall out in the channel literally brings the red admirals in on its front as it sweeps inland. The red admirals appear from nowhere and almost land at Chris’s feet to rest and soak up the energy-giving warmth from the sun in order to continue their onward flight. This is the same butterfly that people recognise and love to see, crowded onto the buddleia in their gardens later in the summer.
Listen again to programme 3
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Programme 4
Choughs
Thursday 11 July 3.45-4.00pm
Chris Sperring travels to the rugged coastline of the Pembroke Peninsula to get up close and personal with choughs, in their short grassland habitat. |
| Chris Sperring |
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Listen again to programme 4
Programme 5 - Short-eared Owls
Friday 12 July 3.45-4.00pm
Unlike most owls, the short-eared owl works during the day. Chris Sperring goes in search of them on the island of Skomer, off the Pembrokeshire coast.
Listen again to programme 5
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